Incoming UNH Freshman Ara Nazarian

Ara Nazarian - Forward #22

For the 2015-16 season, the UNH hockey team welcomes six freshmen. The Class of 2019 includes 5 forwards - Marcus Vela, Ara Nazarian, Jason Kalinowski, Chris Miller, and Frankie Cefalu - and defenseman Matt Dawson. Here is a profile of Ara Nazarian, including a new interview with his former coach Dave Allison of the Des Moines Buccaneers.

Ara Nazarian Last Team: Des Moines Buccaneers United States Hockey League DOB: 6-19-1996 Hometown: Boxford, MA Forward, 5'9", 185 lbs. Shoots Left Commit to UNH: 4-2-2013 at Age 16 years, 10 months. Signed National Letter of Intent: 4-21-2015

Coach's Report

Throughout the 2014-15 regular season, Ara Nazarian was coached by Dave Allison, Head Coach and General Manager of the Des Moines Buccaneers. Last week, I had an opportunity to interview Coach Allison regarding Nazarian's strengths and readiness for NCAA hockey:

Mike Lowry ("C-H-C"): What are Ara's strengths and how did he develop during his season with the Buccaneers?
Coach Dave Allison: Ara was a player that progressed start to finish and became a valuable asset. And I might add what a great kid he was as well. By the end of the season Ara was just starting to kill penalties and accept he could play against top lines. And in order to do that he had to bring a consistent level of compete and competency.

Mike Lowry: What kind of adjustments will Ara need to make as he begins his NCAA career?
Coach Allison: At the end of the year, Ara was able to play vs the top players in the USHL, yet he still needed to learn how to compete and win more battles than he lost against the top players. He needs to solidify this foundation and make it his norm.

Scouting Reports

From Elite Hockey Prospects :

"This smart, skilled forward with creative hands can have moments where he looks disinterested in the play but when he sniffs out an offensive chance he becomes hard to handle and aggressive offensively. Has a quick release on a real dangerous shot selection.”

From Kirk Luedeke, New England Hockey Journal:

"ESPN Boston’s inaugural Mr. Hockey isn’t a dynamic skater but he’s got outstanding hands and a lot of vision and creativity. He’s been on area watch lists for years."

Career Achievements

~ 2012-13 season: ESPNBoston.com "Mr. Hockey" Award - Top Massachusetts High School Hockey Player.
~ Member of 2012, 2013, and 2014 Super 8 Champion Malden Catholic High School. Team's leading scorer as sophomore and junior.

2014-15 USHL Highlight Reel

High School & Junior Hockey Statistics

Player	Year	Team	League	GP	Goals	Asst	Pts	+/-	PIM
Ara Nazarian  (F)	2014/2015	Des Moines Buccaneers	USHL	60	12	16	28	-17	16
	2013/2014	Malden Catholic	Mass. HS	20	20	27	47
		Super 8	Mass. HS	4	1	8	9
	2012/2013	Malden Catholic	Mass. HS	23	21	20	41
		Super 8	Mass. HS	5	9	5	14
	2011/2012	Malden Catholic	Mass. HS	21	14	16	30
		Super 8	Mass. HS	5	4	0	4

Links to Articles on Ara Nazarian

"Ara Nazarian Commits to UNH"

"UNH Recruit Profile: Ara Nazarian"

"UNH Recruit Ara Nazarian Signs National Letter of Intent"